Patents by Inventor Stefan Kracht

Stefan Kracht has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10196133
    Abstract: A method for accelerated power push back of an aircraft equipped with a pilot-controlled engines-off taxi system that drives the aircraft without reliance on the aircraft's main engines or tugs is provided. An aircraft is quickly and efficiently moved out of a gate where it is positioned in a nose-in orientation. The pilot controls the taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse along a perpendicular path away from the terminal to a location where there is sufficient space for the aircraft to stop and turn, and the aircraft is turned and driven in a forward direction to a takeoff runway. Pilot reliance on ground personnel guidance during push back maneuvers is minimized by providing a monitoring system designed to monitor gate and ramp areas around the aircraft in any visibility or environmental conditions and provide feedback to the pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Stefan Kracht, Jan Vana, Joseph J. Cox, Isaiah W. Cox
  • Patent number: 9394059
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an autonomous accelerated pushback process in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system is provided to maximize safety and facilitate the accelerated pushback process. The aircraft is equipped with a monitoring system including a number of different kinds of sensors and monitoring devices positioned to maximally monitor the aircraft's exterior ground environment and communicate the presence or absence of obstructions in the aircraft's path while the pilot is controlling the engines-off taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse away from a terminal gate and then turn in place at a selected location before driving forward to a taxiway. The sensors and monitoring devices may be a combination of cameras, ultrasound, global positioning, radar, and LiDAR or LADAR devices, and proximity sensors located at varying heights adapted to continuously or intermittently scan or sweep the aircraft exterior and ground environment during aircraft ground movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Isaiah W. Cox, Jan Vana, Joseph J. Cox, Stefan Kracht
  • Publication number: 20150175271
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an autonomous accelerated pushback process in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system is provided to maximize safety and facilitate the accelerated pushback process. The aircraft is equipped with a monitoring system including a number of different kinds of sensors and monitoring devices positioned to maximally monitor the aircraft's exterior ground environment and communicate the presence or absence of obstructions in the aircraft's path while the pilot is controlling the engines-off taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse away from a terminal gate and then turn in place at a selected location before driving forward to a taxiway. The sensors and monitoring devices may be a combination of cameras, ultrasound, global positioning, radar, and LiDAR or LADAR devices, and proximity sensors located at varying heights adapted to continuously or intermittently scan or sweep the aircraft exterior and ground environment during aircraft ground movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Isaiah W. Cox, Jan Vana, Joseph J. Cox, Stefan Kracht
  • Publication number: 20150175256
    Abstract: A method for accelerated power push back of an aircraft equipped with a pilot-controlled engines-off taxi system that drives the aircraft without reliance on the aircraft's main engines or tugs is provided. An aircraft is quickly and efficiently moved out of a gate where it is positioned in a nose-in orientation. The pilot controls the taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse along a perpendicular path away from the terminal to a location where there is sufficient space for the aircraft to stop and turn, and the aircraft is turned and driven in a forward direction to a takeoff runway. Pilot reliance on ground personnel guidance during push back maneuvers is minimized by providing a monitoring system designed to monitor gate and ramp areas around the aircraft in any visibility or environmental conditions and provide feedback to the pilot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Kracht, Jan Vana, Joseph J. Cox, Isaiah W. Cox
  • Publication number: 20150051757
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an autonomous accelerated pushback process in an aircraft equipped with an engines-off taxi system is provided to maximize safety and facilitate the accelerated pushback process. The aircraft is equipped with a monitoring system including a number of different kinds of sensors and monitoring devices positioned to maximally monitor the aircraft's exterior ground environment and communicate the presence or absence of obstructions in the aircraft's path while the pilot is controlling the engines-off taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse away from a terminal gate and then turn in place at a selected location before driving forward to a taxiway. The sensors and monitoring devices may be a combination of cameras, ultrasound, global positioning, radar, and LiDAR or LADAR devices, and proximity sensors located at varying heights adapted to continuously or intermittently scan or sweep the aircraft exterior and ground environment during aircraft ground movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Isaiah W. Cox, Jan Vana, Joseph J. Cox, Stefan Kracht
  • Publication number: 20150021431
    Abstract: A method for accelerated power push back of an aircraft equipped with a pilot-controlled engines-off taxi system that drives the aircraft without reliance on the aircraft's main engines or tugs is provided. An aircraft is quickly and efficiently moved out of a gate where it is positioned in a nose-in orientation. The pilot controls the taxi system to drive the aircraft in reverse along a perpendicular path away from the terminal to a location where there is sufficient space for the aircraft to stop and turn, and the aircraft is turned and driven in a forward direction to a takeoff runway. Pilot reliance on ground personnel guidance during push back maneuvers is minimized by providing a monitoring system designed to monitor gate and ramp areas around the aircraft in any visibility or environmental conditions and provide feedback to the pilot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Kracht, Jan Vana, Joseph J. Cox, Isaiah W. Cox
  • Patent number: 8566739
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for and input field on a graphical user interface (GUI). The graphical user interface (GUI) includes one or more input fields that, when activated in response to a stimulus, display one or more associated projected input fields showing a maximum width of the respective input fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Stefan Kracht
  • Publication number: 20060080618
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for and input field on a graphical user interface (GUI). The graphical user interface (GUI) includes one or more input fields that, when activated in response to a stimulus, display one or more associated projected input fields showing a maximum width of the respective input fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventor: Stefan Kracht